date range is an estimate. Location probably Hopsten (D)

From the outside this JG 71 Richthofen F-4F looks like a factory fresh airplane.

"40 Jahre F4F / 1973-2013 / First in - last out / Ich melde mich ab" c/s

Although I'm not a Phan of special color schemes and subsequently do not point my camera and lens into the direction of such an aircraft, I make sometimes exceptions. During the Dutch air Phorce days in 2013 I made such an exception as there was a Phantom involved (and I am a bit of a Phantom Phreak). The Luftwaffe managed to paint this F-4F in these "Phantom Pharewell" / "40 Jahre F-4F" colours, to commemorate Phorty years of Phantom operations within the Luftwaffe. The aircraft only Phlew like this during the Phinal days of the Phantom in Germany.

Celebrating 40 years of Phantom II's with the German Air Force.

Despite the superbly arranged variety of special scheme F-4s, the best efforts of the Phantom Pharewell photoday organisers could not overcome the weather. View of JG.71's blue & gold bird taken from the top of a HAS after a very slippery climb. This machine made its last flight at the show next day, marking the end of 40 years of the F-4 with the Luftwaffe, and will be preserved on the Wittmund gate